Douglas Fairbanks

Born in Denver in 1883, Douglas Fairbanks became one of the biggest stars of silent film. He first won audiences with lively modern comedies, then became famous worldwide for bold, athletic adventure movies such as The Mark of Zorro, Robin Hood, and The Thief of Bagdad. His charm, physical confidence, and playful spirit made him one of the best-known faces of 1920s cinema.

Fairbanks was also important behind the scenes. He was a founding member of United Artists, the company created in 1919 by Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith so leading filmmakers could have more control over their work. His marriage to Pickford made them one of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples, and their home, Pickfair, became a symbol of movie-star glamour.

Although his fame faded with the coming of sound, his influence did not. Fairbanks helped shape the image of the action hero long before modern adventure films, and his work still stands out for its speed, humor, and sheer joy in movement.